Whenever possible, try to park in well-lit, guarded parking lots, especially if you'll be leaving the vehicle overnight. A lot of tourists that we get here are drunk brits on a stag do, so if women role theirs eyes at them its perfectly understandable, doesn't mean we are rude. [36], Lithuanian Ashkenazi Jews also have interesting genetics, since they display a number of unique genetic characteristics; the utility of these variations has been the subject of debate. Lietuvos Redditas. Turns out I can smile, and, if my friends are to be believed, it’s quite nice. Lithuania is a lovely place to visit and offers much more to tourists than meets the eye. Their smiles look more sincere to me. Turn on the news! A standardised Lithuanian language was approved. If you will ever see this nation smiling, know that it comes from the bottom of the heart. So, you get really good at tracking them and always knowing the best place to get your tank full without being ripped off. When traveling near border areas be certain that you have your passport and that it has been stamped. Y-chromosome SNP haplogroup analysis showed Lithuanians to be closest to fellow Balts (Latvians), Estonians, Belarusians and Finnish people. Turns out I can smile, and, if my friends are to be believed, it’s quite nice. In Lithuania, petrol prices change faster than stocks prices on the NY stock exchange. It is popular among Lithuanians all over the world. I still think they're better than the French for example :D. Personally, when someone is smiling at me for no apparent reason it's weird at best and really creepy at worst. But most importantly, it is the official language of the country and companies are obliged to carry out their business in Lithuanian (plus people are a tiny bit nationalistic). Some of the travellers say that we might come off as rude but when you get to know those people you can find out that we aren't. I do tend to avoid interactions with older people here (like in the supermarket) when possible but that's because they often don't speak English. Why in heavens not? You find that many people aren’t sharing their jokes with you. Maybe we have a general “happier” attitude and expression, that you take as a smile, but it’s not. You will understand that nothing in Lithuanian happens quickly, especially when it comes to bureaucracy. Other traditional instruments include švilpas whistle, drums and tabalas (a percussion instrument like a gong), sekminių ragelis (bagpipe) and the pūslinė, a musical bow made from a pig's bladder filled with dried peas. Lithuanians were also helpful when I needed any help or directions. I stood my ground and made sure I let as many people off the bus first just to annoy her further. It is not a secret that Eastern Europeans (especially Russians) are usually described as “weirdoes that don’t smile”. In Russia a simple smile means love. We’re not on the American level yet, but firmly ahead of Finns, and sometimes even kick the Germans’ behinds. ( Log Out / It might have something to do with the lack of sun or constant rain and cold, but you will rarely see a person smiling on the street (or anywhere, really). If you smile at a monkey and your teeth are on full display, get ready. Its good to have an objective insight of a stranger. However, once you become friends with a Lithuanian, you will have a kind, lifelong friend. I have only positive to say about Vilnius. In 1940, Lithuania was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union, and forced to join it as the Lithuanian SSR.